When my friend and favorite
traveling companion, Coral Beach, called to ask about my Thanksgivng Day plans,
I told her that I had received several invitations but just wanted to stay
home, curl up by a fire in the fireplace and read one of the new mystery novels
I just bought.
But she wasn’t having it.
“No,” came her reply. “You’re not staying home by yourself.”
“I just need some time to
relax,” I argued.
“No,” she said again. “You’re
coming to my house and going to the Thanksgiving Day buffet at the Moody
Gardens Hotel with my family and some of our neighbors.” Coral is a take-charge
kind of gal.
I’ve mentioned in previous
posts on this blog about her expert travel and event planning abilities, and
she’s never steered me wrong in the past, so, after taking a peek at the buffet
menu online (YUM!), I jumped in my car, shared Coral’s home address with Violet
(my voice-activated navigation system) so I wouldn’t veer off course in case I
got distracted while singing along to “Jingle-Bells” on the car radio, and
headed for Galveston.
And she was right—again! As
you can see in the photo at left, the ballroom was beautifully decorated, and
the buffet tables were not only loaded with scrumptious food, but amazing ice
sculptures, towering floral arrangements and gorgeous carved fruits and
vegetables.
We loaded up our plates with
delectable treats that I’d never tasted before, plus many traditional favorites
with a gourmet twist. It was a food-lover’s dream come true. And the dessert
table! Heavens to Betsy! I nearly ate myself into a coma. At right are Coral’s
husband, Joe Murphy, with me and Coral, enjoying the day’s feast.
The photo at left sums up the
day: Two well-fed, gray-haired ladies, lounging on the park bench in the pumpkin
patch. Life doesn’t get any better!
There was so much to be
thankful for that day—not only for the abundance of tasty food and our
beautiful surroundings, but the company of many good friends. Not just those who
spent Thanksgiving Day with me, but all
of you who have prayed for me, inspired me, supported me, and laughed with me
throughout this joyful year. I am so blessed!
Thank you Joe and Coral for a
wonderful day! And many, many thanks to all my friends and family who fill my
heart with joy!
Love to all!
Gloria
